NEW YORK -- If you seem to think it's been a while since Minnesota's vaunted bullpen took a loss in a postseason game, you'd be right.

Not since Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS against Anaheim had a Twins reliever taken a postseason loss. J.C. Romero suffered the defeat when the Angels scored an eighth-inning run for a 2-1 Twins loss. Minnesota had lost five playoff contests prior to Wednesday night, but all the decisions fell upon the starters.

Because Joe Nathan was already the pitcher of record when the Twins took the lead, there was no blown save, keeping a huge stat alive. Minnesota's bullpen hasn't suffered a blown save during its current run of three consecutive postseasons.

Vitals check
A look at key statistics through Game 2 of the ALDS.

Team stats

Digits

Trend

The Deal

ERA

2.47

There was no direction but down after Tuesday's shutout.

BA

.261

Twins hit around mighty Yankees bullpen.

BA w/ RISP

.247

Twins took advantage of opportunities.

Runs

8

Late-inning tallies off bullpen may prove big for confidence later.

Fldg %

1.000

Fewer double plays, but still solid play.

Who's hot?

Player

Digits

Trend

The Deal

Torii Hunter

4-for-10, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 runs

He steals runs, then he scores them.

Juan Rincon

0-0, 0.00 ERA

Now up to three perfect innings.

Who's not?

Player

Digits

Trend

The Deal

Jason Kubel

0-for-6, 2 Ks

Welcome to the postseason.

Behind the numbers
Shannon Stewart's 0-for-6 performance ended a streak of reaching base in five consecutive postseason games. He had been 8-for-19 going into Wednesday night.

Frozen moment
Watching for any strike call for Nathan, who threw nine straight pitches out of the zone in the 12th inning before finding the plate against Alex Rodriguez. It was proof that Nathan's arm was gassed.

Second guess
If you don't know this one, you fell asleep sometime around 11 p.m. ET. Gardenhire knew his decision to keep Nathan in the game for a third inning was a risky one, but he didn't like his chances using rookie Jesse Crain or recently struggling J.C. Romero in that situation.

Modern History I
The Twins are playing in their fifth five-game series in franchise history. Each time, they've lost Game 2.

Last word
"We overextended him, I'm sure. He wanted the ball, but it just didn't work out for us."
-- Gardenhire on Nathan

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.